Talladega II: Matt Kenseth preview

FAST FACTS
Matt Kenseth will be making his 250th NEXTEL Cup start on Sunday.
Kenseth's 23rd-place finish at Kansas last weekend snapped a streak of
six consecutive top-10 finishes dating back to his win at Michigan on
Aug. 20.
Kenseth's ...

FAST FACTS

Matt Kenseth will be making his 250th NEXTEL Cup start on Sunday.

Kenseth's 23rd-place finish at Kansas last weekend snapped a streak of
six consecutive top-10 finishes dating back to his win at Michigan on
Aug. 20.

Kenseth's average finish of 16.4 at Talladega Superspeedway ranks
fifth among the 10 tracks in the Chase.

Kenseth ranks fourth in laps completed (2,284) at Talladega since the
beginning of 2000, Kenseth's rookie season in NEXTEL Cup.

Kenseth's average starting position at Talladega is 25.8; second
lowest among NEXTEL Cup tracks for Kenseth's career.

Kenseth's career average finish at restrictor plate tracks is 18.0,
his career average for all tracks of 15.2.

Kenseth on racing at Talladega Superspeedway: "Personally, I don't
think the newly paved surface will have that big of an effect. I think
it should be smoother which is good, because Talladega was one of the
bumpier tracks we race on. The formula for success is the same as it
is for every plate race: stay out of the wreck, don't beat yourself on
the track or on pit road and give yourself a shot at the end. I've been
very pleased with the way our superspeedway cars have driven in the past
year and a half. We came very close to winning this race last year and
if not for the last caution with about two to go, I feel like we would
have won. But, it's still promising to know that our cars are capable
of running up front at plate tracks. One of these days, I'll make the
right decision at the end of a race, get some help, and maybe win one of
these."

Crew Chief Robbie Reiser on racing at Talladega Superspeedway: "We're
bringing the same car we've ran at Talladega the last three races and
it's been pretty good all three times. We've been so close the past
couple of races there and sooner or later we're going to win one of
these things. A win couldn't come at a better time for us right now
after last weekend. I think we've got a great shot this weekend, but
just like anything at Talladega you have to have some things go your
way, that you really don't have control over. You have to avoid a couple
of big wrecks and you have to have help at the end. But, everything
else, the things you can control such as pit stops and pit strategy -
that's the stuff you have to take care of and hopefully we?ll be around
at the end with a chance to win."